Retractable pulpit or the like

Abstract

A pulpit, altar or other platform may be retracted into an opening in the floor of a building such as a church. In one form of the invention, the pulpit assembly is connected to means for moving it vertically into and out of the opening. In another form, the pulpit is foldable and can be stored in the opening after folding the retable of the pulpit assembly and contains two flanking side tables swingably hinged thereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
       1. A retractable pulpit or the like adapted to retract into an opening in the floor of an edifice comprising a central retable having a front vertical panel, depending side walls and horizontal brackets extending from its lower section; side tables swingably hinged to said retable and foldable therein; said front panel being foldably connected to said opening so that said opening receives said retable when containing said side tables, with a portion of the surface of said front panel serving as floor surface in covering said opening in the retracted mode of the pulpit, further including a recess on the outer surface of said front panel and a top panel foldably secured to said opening, said top panel fitting in said recess of said front panel when said retable is in said opening, such that the surface of said top panel serves as floor surface in covering said opening in the retracted mode of the pulpit. 
     
     
       2. The invention as recited in claim 1, further including hydraulic means for moving said retable between a raised position, and a lowered position wherein the top surface thereof is substantially at the level of said floor.